Sunday Meditation: Discernment, Disagreement, Conscience, and the Fullness of the Truth

I follow a gentleman on Substack, D. B. Doherty, whose views on the SSPX situation conflict strongly with my own. I think it's an intelligent practice to study both sides of an issue to help discern where the fullness of the truth lies. That's what I've been doing ever since COVID sent us to the SSPX in recognition and appreciation of their zeal for souls. Up to now, I've found the arguments for the SSPX more convincing than those against them. So I continue, in good conscience, to attend the chapel. But I also continue to examine the arguments presented by those who disagree who I see as people of good will. I ignore the others. Let them rage.

Doherty, describes himself as an "armchair theologian." He warns that all of us who continue to connect ourselves to the Society are in serious spiritual danger. Recently, he posted this article:

How to Defend the SSPX and Accidentally Risk Your Soul

History Repeats Itself! And so Does Heresy!

Cardinal Marx with his equivalent of Luther's rebellion.

I just started reading Hillaire Belloc's book, How the Reformation Happened. With the latest revolt coming out of Germany, that unfortunate country, I hope the book may cast some light on the synodal path to hell being led by the German bishops. (Hmmm...what a good hash tag! #TheSynodalPathToHell.) 

Belloc begins by dispelling the notion of there ever being a peaceful time in the Church. He goes through the first 300 years of blistering persecution and countless divisions, ending with Constantine's edict of 321 establishing religious toleration for Christians.

Another Day, Another Synod, Another Opportunity to Attack the Faith of Our Fathers

Will the Pan-Amazon Synod October October  6-27 lead the Church to "a point of no return?"

I just started reading the working document for the latest synod. At 45,000 words it is not a job for
the timid. Frankly, I'd rather go to the dentist, but I think we all need to know what the pope and his minions are up to. The synods on youth and the family did not advance or defend the faith at all. Vatican correspondent Edward Pentin pointed out some "areas of concern" from the youth document including ambiguous language about homosexuality, the role of women in the Church, and the sex abuse crisis. The two synods on the family created more ambiguity and revealed, according to George Weigel: